The latest on California politics and government

June 5, 2012

Alicia Trost, the oft-quoted spokeswoman for Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, is moving on to take a position as the Communications Department manager for the Bay Area Rapid Transit District.

Trost came to the Legislature in 2004 as the press secretary for Steinberg's pro tem predecessor, Oakland Democratis Sen. Don Perata, then stayed on when the office switched hands. Steinberg, D-Sacramento, eventually promoted her to communications director.

"I live in the Bay Area and my daily commute with two kids has finally caught up with me," Trost said today on her Twitter account. "It is time to work closer to home."

Trost's experience outside of the government included six years as a morning news producer for Oakland television station KTVU.

Her job in the pro tem's office paid $9,636 per month, according to the Senate's payroll website. BART's media staff didn't immediately return a call and an email seeking the salary for the communications position.